Wink is the simpler, smarter home. We bring hundreds of products from 28 trusted brands together in a single mobile app, so you can easily monitor, control, and automate your smart home, no matter where you are.

What can I do with Wink?

As little or as much as you want! There’s no wrong way to use Wink - we encourage people to integrate their smart home within their daily lives based on what works for them.

Here are a few common feature functionalities you’ll find within the Wink app:

Individual product control: Every product you connect with Wink shows up on the home screen of the app. From there, if you want to check the status of a product, simply select it, and adjust as needed. Perfect for those times when you’re not sure if the door is unlocked or hallway light is left on!

Schedules: Want all your smart lights to turn on or off at specific times? You can create a Schedule within the app for individual products or groups of products and sync when they’re on or off. The possibilities are endless - you can have your porch light turn on at sunset, or have all the house lights automatically turn off 30 minutes after you leave for work.

Shortcuts: Shortcuts let you control multiple products with one swipe in the Wink app. For example, a “Welcome Home” Shortcut could be created to turn on your hallway lights, unlock the front door, and adjust the thermostat all at once.

Robots: Robots let you program products to work together automatically based on triggers, such as location or activity. For example, you could create a “Safety” Robot that triggers your lights to turn on automatically if smoke is detected to help you wake up and exit your home quickly.

What makes Wink unique?

Wink’s focus is on bringing together the best products from the most trusted brands to elevate what’s possible with the smart home. If a product adds value to the Wink ecosystem and our users, we will absolutely look for ways to integrate it regardless of who the manufacturer is.

We also designed our platform to be simple, flexible, and easy-to-use. By partnering with trusted brands, you can pick and choose from hundreds of products that make sense for your lifestyle. Want to make your entire home smart? Go for it! Just want to connect a lightbulb or two? That’s also great. We want your Wink smart home to be perfectly synced with how you live your life.

What are the Wink Hub and Wink Hub 2 and why do I need one of them?

The Wink Hub is a product that consolidates the different technologies (protocols) found in smart home products into one, so that you can control them all from the Wink app.

It’s compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), Kidde, Lutron Clear Connect, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and ZigBee, which are the protocols found in the majority of leading smart home products.

Wink Hub 2 - our next generation Wink Hub - includes an improved Bluetooth LE radio and a Thread-capable radio for future support. It’s slimmer in design and connects easier to your home network. For more information on the differences, check out the Wink Hub 2 FAQ page.

What is a protocol?

Smart home products use radios to send and receive information, which is what enables them to connect wirelessly to each other and to your Wink app. They send and receive that information through protocols - which are a set of standards and rules (it can be helpful to think of a protocol as a language).

Every smart product uses some type of protocol, the more common and popular of which include ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth LE. Each one has its own unique benefit. Z-Wave, for example, uses a small amount of power and has a long range, which makes it great for products like door and window sensors.

Because the products that people like from the brands they trust don’t all use one protocol, we created the Wink Hub. The Wink Hub and its next generation Wink Hub 2 translate all of those different protocols into one, so that your Wink app can be easily used to monitor, control, and automate your products.

What is Wink Relay?

Wink Relay is a touchscreen control panel that’s tailored to you. It replaces a traditional light switch on your wall and runs the Wink app to provide a central location through which you can monitor, control, and automate your smart home.

Wink Relay is compatible with Wi-Fi and ZigBee, which means it can serve the same purpose as the Wink Hub for products that run on those technologies. Products that use Bluetooth LE, Z-Wave, Lutron ClearConnect, and Kidde will require the Wink Hub or Wink Hub 2 in order to connect with Wink Relay.

Where is Wink available?

Wink supports users in the United States and Canada.

Wink Hub 2 is expected to be available starting in late October at Wink.com, Amazon.com, The Home Depot (in stores nationwide and online), Home Depot Canada (in stores nationwide and online), and Walmart (select stores nationwide and online).

The original Wink Hub is available at Wink.com, Amazon.com, The Home Depot (in stores nationwide and online), and The Home Depot Canada (in stores nationwide and online) while supplies last.

Wink Relay is available at Wink.com, Amazon.com, The Home Depot (in stores nationwide and online), and Home Depot Canada (in stores nationwide and online).

Wink Hub 2 is expected to be available for $99 starting in late October on Wink.com. The Wink Hub is available for $69 on Wink.com while supplies last. Wink Relay is available for $99 on Wink.com.

There are no long-term contracts or required monthly fees

Which mobile platforms does Wink support?

Wink currently supports iOS 8.0 or later and Android 4.0 or later. The Wink app is available for free download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play. Wink also supports Apple Watch and Android Wear, so you can control your smart products from your wrist.

Can I access Wink from my computer, mobile web, or browser-based platform?

Not at this time. We currently support apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, Android Mobile, and Android Wear. You can also control all of your smart products with Wink Relay or use your voice to control them with Amazon Echo.

Does Wink work with Amazon Echo?

Yes. We’ve partnered with Amazon Echo so you can use your voice to control smart products around your home. Right now you can control all of your Wink-compatible lighting products and Wink-enabled Nest Thermostats through Alexa, and we’ll be adding additional product categories and features over time.

Does Wink work with IFTTT?

Yes. The Wink Shortcuts channel on IFTTT enables you to activate Wink Shortcuts through IFTTT triggers. For example, if you use a Jawbone UP to monitor your sleep activity you can set up a recipe in IFTTT that tells your Wink-compatible lights to turn off and the thermostat to adjust automatically when your UP goes into Sleep mode.

IFTTT can also be used with Wink Relay. The two buttons to the right of the Relay touchscreen can be turned into triggers for the many automations enabled by IFTTT. Read more about how to get started here.

Is Wink compatible with Apple HomeKit?

Not at this time. We would like to support HomeKit when that becomes possible for multi-brand platforms. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Getting Started

Where can I find out which products work with Wink?

You can find the full list of Wink-compatible products at www.wink.com or in the “Add A Product” menu within your Wink app. We are continually working to add more products to the Wink platform from the brands you trust and rely on everyday.

What does it mean if a product is “Wink-certified?”

Products that carry the Wink seal are certified to ensure a smooth experience and comprehensive customer support. We work with these brands to design simple interactions, test their products on the Wink platform, and integrate customer support services.

Other products that utilize Z-Wave and ZigBee for communication may connect with the Wink Hub and Wink Hub 2 and feature basic support, but may not be fully optimized within the Wink app. We are continually working to expand compatibility with leading brands and products.

Where should I locate the Wink Hub or Wink Hub 2 within my home?

The Wink Hub should be located at least 15 feet away from any other Wi-Fi device (including your router). We recommend you locate Wink Hub 2 a similar distance away from other Wi-Fi devices and routers, if you wish to connect Wink Hub 2 using Wi-Fi.

Position your Hub in a centralized location that minimizes the distance between the Hub and your connected devices.

Stone, tile, mirrors, and large metal surfaces tend to interfere with wireless communication. Try to avoid placing your Hub in locations that put surfaces like these between the Hub and your connected devices.

f possible, locate your Hub in an open space at least 3 feet above the floor. Avoid cabinets when possible.

Range is very environmentally dependent, but a typical residential installation may experience range up to 50 feet.

How do I connect a product to the Wink app?

We’ve worked hard to make sure the setup process for all Wink-compatible products is as easy and intuitive as possible.

Connecting your product to Wink takes place in the app. Selecting ‘Add a Product’ within the app shows you all the different categories of products that are compatible with Wink. From there, you can either scan the barcode of your product, search for the product in the Search bar, or find the product within the category it falls in. For example, Chamberlain can be found within the Garage Doors category.

Detailed step-by-step instructions will then surface within the app to guide you along the setup process.

If you have additional questions, visit our Product Support page for in-depth setup information on each Wink-compatible product.

Am I able to connect a product that isn’t supported by Wink?

Possibly. Z-Wave switches, lights, locks, and sensors should connect to your account, as should ZigBee lights. We cannot guarantee full functionality with Wink for products that are not officially supported.

Can I have multiple users on my Wink account or give access to my products?

Yes. You can give access to specific products to other users. You determine who has access and which products others can access. As the master account user, you can add, edit, or remove their access at any time. If you delete a product from your shared account, the other users will lose access to it, but it will not be removed from the master (your) account.

How much Wi-Fi bandwidth does Wink require?

Wink uses a very limited amount of Wi-Fi, under 20 mbs per month, which is comparable to any other connected device.

Will the Wink Hub / Wink Hub 2 connect to a 5GHz network?

The Wink Hub will only connect to a 2.4GHz network.

Wink Hub 2 includes an improved Wi-Fi radio that connects with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Wink Hub 2 can also connect via Ethernet.

How much battery does the Wink app use? Is there a way to limit it?

In general, the Wink app doesn’t require any more or less battery power than other mobile apps.

The Wink app does have a feature called “geo-fencing” that allows products to turn on automatically when you get close to home and shut off when you leave. Since this feature uses the GPS on your phone to tell your products when to turn on or off, it uses more battery. If your phone battery is low or you wish to conserve battery usage, turn off geo-fencing for smart schedules (the Wink app needs to be running in the background for this to work).

If I encounter issues with a Wink-enabled product or the Wink app where do I go for assistance?

If you have questions about your Wink or Wink-compatible products, a great place to find in-depth information is our Product Support page.

Our customer service team is also available if you would rather talk to a real human. You can email us at questions@wink.com, call 1-844-WINK-APP, or chat with a representative online (click on the Chat button on the bottom right hand corner of any page on Wink.com).

Using Wink

Can I control my products remotely?

Yes. You can access, control, and automate your Wink-enabled products from the Wink app wherever you are, as long as you are connected to the Internet or mobile data.

Does it cost me anything to control my products remotely?

No. You don’t need to worry about pricing tiers, usage fees, number of users, or number of products. Simply put, the Wink app is free to download and use.

What are Robots?

Robots are a simple way to automate your home to run on its own. With a few taps in the Wink app, you can program your products to work together automatically based on triggers, such as location or activity. For example, you could create a “Safety” Robot that triggers your lights to turn on automatically if smoke is detected to help you wake up and exit your home quickly.

What are Shortcuts?

Shortcuts can be created within the Wink app and let you control multiple products with one tap. For example, a “Welcome Home” Shortcut could be created to turn on your hallway lights, unlock the front door, and adjust the thermostat all at once.

What are Schedules?

Schedules in the Wink app are very similar in function to an auto-timer. You can create a Schedule that automatically turns on the downstairs lights at sunset, or one that turns off the kitchen lights 30 minutes after you leave from work.

What happens if my Internet connection or power goes out?

The Wink Hub and Wink Hub 2 require power and Internet to connect you with your smart products. If you lose Internet connection or power, you will still be able to manually control your products that run on batteries or do not require electricity for basic functionality (i.e. your front door lock) but you will not be able to control them via the Wink app. Once the Internet and power is restored, your Hub and compatible products will reconnect automatically.

There are two exceptions to this rule:

We recently enabled local control for all Wink-compatible, Hub-required light bulbs and switches. This allows you to control your lights if the Internet goes down while you are home, as long as your phone is connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network.

Wink Hub 2 also introduces the capability to run advanced home automations, like Robots and Schedules, locally for improved reliability and speed.

What is local control?

Typically, when you control a product through the Wink app, your phone sends a signal to your Internet router, which then communicates with our server in the cloud, which then comes back through your router to the Wink Hub / Wink Hub 2, and then finally to that product.

Local control removes the cloud layer from the equation, so that your phone can talk directly to the Hub on your home network.

Local control currently works with Wink-compatible, Hub-required lighting products and door locks.

Wink Hub 2 will introduce the ability to control advanced home automations, like Robots and Schedules, locally for increased reliability and speed.

Is there a maximum number of products that the Wink app can support?

While this question seems straightforward it can get a bit technical.

Short answer: Wink is designed to allow you to add many smart products around your home, and you can add hundreds of products to the Wink Hub or Wink Hub 2 and control them from your Wink app.

Long answer: The Wink Hub and Wink Hub 2 support a variety of protocols to communicate with the different types of smart products around your home. The limit varies by protocol. For example, the Wink Hub can control 230 different Z-Wave products so it is safe to say your Hub can control hundreds of products around your home.

How do I update my Wi-Fi information in the Wink app after buying a new router or changing my network password?

You can change your Wi-Fi information in the Wink app at any time. Open the Wink app and select the “Hub” icon on the main menu. Then, select the “Gear” or “Settings” icon for iOS devices and “…” for Android devices. Select the name of your Hub from this menu and scroll down to “Wi-Fi” on the “Hub Settings” menu that opens. Please note, your Wink Hub must be flashing purple in order to update the network settings.

Security

Is Wink secure?

We take our users’ privacy and data security very seriously, and we regularly examine our practices to ensure that they exceed industry standards. We adopt security measures that include certificate pinning, encryption, two-factor authentication for all system administrators, and regular security audits. We also encourage our users to secure their wireless networks and adopt strong passwords.

Wink is constantly working with top security researchers around the world, as well as each of our partners to improve the security of our devices and the devices we connect with. Making our products more secure is not a one-time event. It’s a constantly evolving process that we are committed to continually improving.

How can I ensure my products are secure and up-to-date?

Wink is constantly testing and auditing the security of our platform. We make frequent updates to the Wink app and Hub to ensure you have the latest security. We’ll alert you in the app when an update is needed. For critical updates, we may push the update automatically so you don’t have to worry about it.

How can I help protect my home network?

Wink works to make security a priority, but there are also things you can do at home to help secure your home network and smart products.

Always update your smart products when new software and firmware are available. It is important to always keep the software on your connected products up to date. These updates not only give you new features, but help keep your products secure.

Use strong passwords for your connected products.

Make sure the password for your Wi-Fi network and your Wink account are at least 16 characters and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This suggestion applies to any passwords you create for other accounts.

Use unique passwords for each of your online accounts - social media, email, etc. This ensures that if one account is compromised, the impact on the others will be mitigated.

Utilize the “guest network” feature on your wireless router. If friends or family request access to your wireless network while they visit, use your router’s guest network feature instead of giving them access to the network that connects all of your smart products. While access to that network will not grant them access to your connected home, it keeps your network more protected.

Make sure your wireless network is secured with a modern security encryption like WPA2-PSK. WPA2-PSK is the modern standard for network security and replaces the deprecated, and insecure, WEP encryption. Unfortunately, some routers are still installed with WEP as the default security scheme. WEP networks can often be identified by the network password; if your password is exactly 10 or 26 characters long and only contains hexadecimal characters (0-9 and a-f) it is likely your network is configured with WEP security. For security purposes, you should convert your network security to WPA2-PSK. Refer to your router’s instruction manual for details on how to do this.

What access does Wink have to my products?

Wink can see the devices you have paired to your account, the firmware version you are running, and the names you have assigned to your devices. Wink does not have access to any passwords or user codes for locks.